Apparatus for painting gas holders



Feb. 22, 1949. B,v DONoyAN 2,462,368v

APPARATUSFOR PAINTING GAS HOLDERS IN VEN TOR.

L. B. DONOVAN APPARATUS-FOR PAINTING GAS HOLDERS Feb. 22 1949.

2 Smeets-sheet 2 Filed April 12, 1946 Patented Feb. 22, 1949 APPARATUSFOR. PAINTING GAS HOLDERS Lewis B. Donovan, White Plains, N. Y.,assignor to Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Application April 12, 1946, Serial No.661,670

3 Claims.

This invention relates to painting apparatus and particularly to onethat is useful for supplying paint to and removing it from thewater-seals of the lifts or telescoping sections of a gas-holder duringthe painting of the outer exposed surfaces of the latter. However, it isto be understood that the painting apparatus hereinafter described isuseful for other purposes.

This application is a continuation-impart o my application, Serial No.585,609, led March 30, 1945, for Painting of gas holders. (Patent No.2,451,158, granted October 12, 1948.) In practicing the method describedin that application, a layer of floating paint is delivered to theWaterseal of each lift or telescoping section of a gasholder, and thenby progressively lowering and raising said telescoping sections paint isdrawn first downwardly and then upwardly from said paint layers on tothe surfaces of said telescoping sections; after which the surplus paintleft loating on the surface of the water-seals, is removed andlie-watered for subsequent use. 'I'he apparatus of the present inventionis useful for practicing that method.

By the term paint, as used in this specification and the appendedclaims, is meant any suitable surface coating, such as paint, dryingoil, etc. The paint to be used must be suitable not only for coating thesurfaces to be covered, but also for use in the apparatus of the presentinvention. The specific gravity of the paint employed in the apparatushereinafter described should be less than the specic gravity of water,in order that it may float on the surface of water, for example, on theWater in the water-seals which are provided at the bottom of eachsection of a gas-holder. For best results, a paint should be chosenhaving a viscosity as wel1 as a specific gravity within certain limits,as hereinafter explained. Also, the paint used should not easilyemulsify with water or, if a paint is used which does emulsify withwater, it should be easily recoverable from the emulsion. In thepractice of the method described in said prior application, a largerquantity of paint is required than would be used for covering theequivalent surface in ordinary ways such as by brushing or spraying; butthe surplus paint may be recovered for use again by the apparatus whichis the subject of the present invention. In order to secure the mostdesirable results, care should be taken in selecting a paint which notonly has a specific gravity low enough to float on the water, but italso appears desirable to take into consideration the relationship ofthe specific gravity to the viscosity of the paint used. In general itappears desirable to avoid use of paints which are relatively thin andhave a high specific gravity, even though the specific gravity is lessthan that of water. It would appear that paints having a specificgravity within the range of about 0.80 to 0.99 with a preferred gravityof about 0.91 are most satisfactory for use in the apparatus of thepresent invention, if so chosen that the viscosity thereof will bewithin a range of about 25 to 60 seconds (as measured in ConsolidatedEdison Company #4 Ford type cup at 70 FJ. While a variety of differentkinds of paint may be used, care should also be taken to select one inwhich the pigments and other ingredients do not tend tc stratify in thepaint layer within the period of time required for conducting thepainting operations. Paints embodying carbon black and having gravitiesand viscosities within the above stated limits have been foundsatisfactory in the painting of gas-holders, also aluminum paints ofsuch viscosity or other characteristics as will cause the aluminumparticles to be maintained in suspension for the requisite period.Paints of various colors are also available for the purpose. Since forgood results the viscosity of the paint as applied is important, andsince the Viscosity may be substantially higher at winter temperatures,than during the summer, it will be apparent that in selecting a paint ofproper viscosity, one should take into consideration the outdoortemperature at which the paint is to be used for the purpose. As aboveindicated, the paint should also be one which does not readily emulsifywhen being pumped along with water through the particular pump used inthe apparatus of this invention.

The invention will be understood from the following description, takenin connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate apparatusembodying the invention. Fig. 1A is a sectional and partly conventionalelevation showing a portion of the apparatus (which is preferablymounted on a truck to make it portable) which cooperates withdistribution piping, schematically shown in Fig. 1B, adapted to bearranged around a gas-holder in position to communicate with thewater-seals to and from which paint is to be delivered and removedduring the painting operation, a skimming basin being represented invertical section at the mid-portion of Fig. 1B, in its position in awater-seal during the removal of the surplus paint therefrom; Fig. 2 isa plan View of said skimming basin; Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively aside elevation and plan view of a skimming device useful for removingpaint floating on the surface of water; Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively aside elevation and plan view of another form of paint-skimming device.Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a device useful for measuring the depthof the floating layer of paint on the surface of the water-seals; Fig. 8is a front elevation of the said measuring 'devicefrepresentediasinserted in a water-seal, with the'loating velement of saiddeviceiioating near the surface of the water and below the paint layer; andFig. 9 is a front elevation, similar to Fig. 8, but after .the floatingelement has been manually lifteduntil vits top is at the upper surfaceof the paint layer.

It is desirable that the paint be distributed Vto the variouswater-seals at .fa 'plurality of points around the gas-holder, so that afloating paint layer which is substantially `uni-form in .depth will beproduced. The depth of the iloating paint layer may be measuredconveniently iby the measuring device, illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and .5,which-is-hereafter described. Also, iniremov- 'ing thesurplus h paintfrom `the `water-seals itis desirable'that .the removal be effected atapiuvrality :of ,places 1in the tvviater-seals `around the :gas-holder sofas fto'facilitate the `removal ofthe :surplus-paint ias quickly .andthoroughly as posn :'sible. To .these-ends,:.distribution'piping may be-fsarranged :around .'lthe .gas-holder slightly above orf below .ethe.level at lwhich'the treatment of Athe fWater-sealsis to take place,that is, slightlyabove lfiorlbelow the elevation ofith'e 'surface of thewater .contained-inthe'holderf tank or pit.

Anfexampl'efof isuch-distribution piping is illustrated 1in-Fig. 1B.Suchzpiping and its arrangement may of 'course'lbe varied, dependingupon the 'form 'and ldimensions ofthe rgas-hold er which is'beingpainted. vInthis figure, thedistribution piping-'isshownf as comprisingpipes l 5Y connected -tofone 'another-at their endsby--quick-"detachable 'and lflexible connections I-Slo'f any suitableand Vwell-known type, and branch "pipes i8, each containing a -valve 2Gfor controlling the ow of paint throughthat pipe. To'these branch pipes`Hlis connected Va hose 2l 'to the'end of which isattacheda-manuallycontrollable valve 22, of any ysuitable and well-knownv`kir1d,"carrying a discharge nozzle 2S. Although'Fig. 1B shows only Ylone hoseZ I "and'its associated valve.22 and nozzle 23, it --will E-beunderstood 'that 'any number of these may'be attached-to the branchpipes 26, for the supplying and withdrawing of rpaint 'from aWater-sealiduring the painting operation. Thus,

a paint --layer having a substantially uniform depth vmay be applied `to.a Water-seal and the surplus paint may be withdrawnfrom the" latter.One of vthe` pipes i5 isprovided with afeed pipe125 leading to`theapparatus (shown in 'Fig.'1A and hereinafter described) `by which the,paint is supplied to and Withdrawn .from the v.water-seals. Valves.2`6and2'l, in `oneof theApipes l5 on each side` o'f,pipe`25,facilitatethecontrol-of the feeding and withdrawal of thevpaint.

In withdrawingsurplus paint from the waterseal, Aitis desirable, so aras possible, yto avoid withdrawing water-.along with the paint. That mayLbe accomplished by using a skimming .basin 28, .an example of whichisshown in.Figs. -1B .and 2. Thisskimmingbasin.2.8.may .be in the formof a box having suchdisplacement characteristics that it will sinkin.paint butfloat in water with itstopedge.projectingslightly above the.Water surface. .As shown in Figs..1B and.2,..this skimming. basin or.box. 2 8.is.provide.d VwithslopingY botmay be Weighted, so that it willfloat in water with its top edge projecting slightly above the watersurface, by applying to the bottom of the box a metal plate indicated atand, to facilitate handling, the box is provided with upwardlyprojecting handles 3l. When the skimming basin 28 islowered into'awater-seal in which the surface of thewater Yis Acovered with a paintlayer, the skimming basin sinks out of sight .through the paint layerand iioats in the water with the topy edge of the basin slightlyprojecting above the water-paint interface. Paint flows :into theskimmingbasin 28 and may be Withdrawn therefrom through the nozzle 23,valve 22,

hose "2| and lthe .distribution piping, under the influence of the'suction produced by the appairatus, showninFig. 1A, which is hereafterdescribed. During the skimming operation, the workman who ismanipulating the hose 2i carrying the nozzle 23 and controlling thevalve 22 may tip the skimming basin 28 slightly, as the skimmingoperation nears completion, fso as -to `facilitate the `flow of paintinto the skimming basin; and of course the skimimng basin V'may be movedfrom one position to-another'inthe waterseal from vwhich paint is beingremoved. The handles "3i attached to the skimming f-basin, not onlyfacilitate the handlingof it/but also indicate'to the manipulator of thenozzle 23 the place `where the skimming '.basin ilies `submerged below`the floating paintplayer.

Instead of employing'the skimming basin 28, the skimming.devicesfshown'in Figs. 3 and 4'or tom sections .29.so..as.to,providealow point `from devices are `adapted 'to be substituted for the nozzle23 attached to the valve '22 .at .the end of the hose'Z I .The skimmingdevice shown in Figs. 3.and .4;comprises a funnel portion 32 .attachedtoa pipe 33; *and theskimm'ing device shownin Figs.f5 and .6 comprises abent pipe .3S-.a having its Ahorizontal portion formed with a slotl32-1). When either .of these skimming .devices is attached to a valve 22on the end of .a hose-2i, it is an easymatter fortheoperator.tofsubmergcthe paint. gathering portions Y32 or-32b just below the surface .of thefloating paint and gather it into the skimming-device under `theinfluence Vof the suction applied to itbylthe apparatus about to bedescribed.

Fig. 1A shows -aform of vapparatus useful for supplying paint throughthepipeeZ to'the distribution piping, Vhoses 2| :and nozzles 23, and forremoving the Ysurplus l.paint-and for de-watering it. .-Ashereinbeforementioned-this apparatus is .preferably lmounted-on a truck -so as to beyreadily,piirtable.. As Shown in Fig. 1A, the apparatus includes a pumpdiagrammatically indicated at i34fwhich mayfbedriven fromany convenientsource -of power. Y In -order :to provide continuous pressure:,or-suctionon the distribution lines Vunderall conditions, a py-pass isprovided around the pump :34 as shownfcontaining areliefvalve SES, ofany well known form, which permits the now-,of paint through the by-passonly when the 3 pressure fexerted by Vthe pump `exceedsa certain amount.The-directions of flow through the pump .31l'an'd1through the ley-passare indicated by yarrows. Associated with the pump all, is a paintholding .tank :divided into sections 4Q, r-l, 4&2, :4x3 .and Mi .bypartitions -45 upwardly ex-tending from .the .tank .bottom 48 nearly-tothe'top Ofthe tank-asshowninthe drawing. YIn.thertqpxofftheftankfabove-zeach tank section, ;is fan 4.opening 4.8havingzfa cover :50, through which paint may be introduced into the tanksection. As shown in Fig. 1A, -the bottom of each tank section 40, 4I,42, 43 and 44 is con-v nected, by a pipe 52 containing a valve 53, to acommon pipe or bottom header 54. The bottom of each tank section is alsoprovided with a test valve 55 in a pipe 51 which communicates with thetank section, for purposes hereinafter described. The top of each tanksection 45, 4|, 42, 43 and 44 is connected by a pipe SG, containing avalve 6|, to a common pipe or top header 62. As will be obvious fromFig. 1A, the intake side of the pump 34 is connected with the bottomheader 54 through a pipe '44 and a valve l|55; and that the intake sideof the pump is also connected With the pipe leading to the distributionpiping shown in Fig. 1B, through a pipe 61 containing a valve 66. Itwill also be noted that the outlet side of the pump 34 is connected withthe top header 52 through a valve 63; and that the outlet side of thepump 34 is also connected to the distribution pipe 25 through a pipe E9and avalve 10.

The manner in which the several valves may be manipulated, so as toselectively control the pumping of paint from the bottom of any tanksection 40, 4|, 42, 43 and 44 to the distribution pipe 25, or from thedistribution pipe 25 to the top of any tank section, or from the bottomof any tank section to the top of any tank section, Will now bedescribed.

Let it be assumed that paint has been introduced into one or more of thetank sections 4B, 4|, 42, 43 and 44 preparatory to the painting of thevarious sections of a gas-holder in the manner hereinbefore described.Let it also be assumed that the distribution piping and hoses 2| havebeen suitably arranged around the gasholder and ready to deliver paintto a water-seal. The outlet side of the pump 34 is connected to the pipe25 by the opening of the valve 10; the Valve 68 is closed in order toshut off connection of the pump 34 with the top header 452; the .intakeside of the pump 34 is connected to the bottom header 54 by opening thevalve 55; the valve 66 is closed in order to Icut off the intake side ofthe pump 34 from connection with the pipe 25; and the Valve 12 near theend of the bottom header 54 is closed, as is also a valve 8| which isprovided in the pipe B for a purpose later explained. Opening of any oneor more of the valves 53 Will permit paint to flow from any one or moreof the tank sections 40, 4|, 42, 43 and 44 into the bottom header 54.Therefore, with the valves set in the manner just described, the pump 34will draw paint from any one or more of the tank sections, through oneor more of the pipes 52 connecting with the bottom header 54, the valve65 and the pipe E4; and the pump will force paint from its outlet side,through the pipe 69 and valve 10, to the pipe 25 leading to thedistribution piping arranged around the gas-holder. Obviously, thesupply of paint to the distribution piping may be controlled both by thevalves 26 and 21 in the distribution piping, and by the valve 1|.) whichis part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1A. Regardless of how thesevalves may be manipulated, stalling of the pump 34 is prevented by therelief valve 35.

Let it now be assumed that the painting of a gas-holder section has beencompleted, and that it is desired to Withdraw the surplus paint from thewater-seal using the skimming devices which have been described. Thevalves 65, 10 and 8| are closed and the valve '56 is opened, therebyconnecting the intake side of the pump 34 (through the pipe 64, valve 56and pipe 61) with the pipe 25 leading to the distribution piping; andthe valve 68 and any one or more oi the valves El are opened, therebyconnecting the outlet side of the pump (through the valve 68, top header62, pipe or pipes 5l) and valve or valves 5|) to the top of one 4or moreof the tank sec tions 40, 4|, 42, 43 and 44. Under these conditions, thepump 34 when operated draws paint from the surface of the water-sealthrough one or more of the hoses 2| and the distribution piping, pipe25, pipe 61, open valve G6 and pipe 64, and delivers this paint (throughthe open valve 68 and top header 52) to one or more of the tank sectionsthrough the pipe or pipes 60 in `which the valve or Valves 6| are open.This operation of removing surplus paint from the Water-seal isprincipally controlled by manipulation ofthe valves 22 in the holes 2|.

In the withdrawing of surplus paint from the Water-seals, some water islikely also to be Withdrawn and left mingled with the paint in one ormore of the tank sections. The manner in which the apparatus shown inFig. 1A may be used for the storage and de-Wateringof such paint willnow be described. Let it be assumed that enough paint and Water havebeen Withdrawn from a water-seal into the tank sections 40 and 4| to llthem about three-quarters full, and let it also be assumed that the tanksections 42, 43 and 44 are empty. The paint and water in the tanksections 45 and 4| will stratify into a top paintlayer and a bottomwater-layer, since the pain-t is of less specic gravity than the Waterand does not emulsiiy with the water. The existence of the bottomWater-layers can be proved by opening the test valves 56 in the` pipes51 extending into the bottoms of the tank sections. If it is permissibleto discharge Water from the tank t sections at the place vvhere thetruck carrying the apparatus shown in Fig. 1A is located, the water inthe bottom layers in tank sections 4|! and 4| may be drained out throughthe pipes 52, valves 53, bottom header pipe 54 and the valve 12; valves65 and 8|, and the valves 53 beneath tank sections 42, 43 and 44 beingclosed during this operation. If, however, it is not permissible todischarge the Water in the bottom layers in tank sections 44 and 4|,that Water may be pumped from those sections into empty tank section 44Where it may be temporarily stored. During this water-pumping operation,the valves 53 beneath the tank sections 45 and 4| are open, and thevalves 53 beneath the tank sections 42, 43 and 44 and valve 12 areclosed; Valve 65 is open; valves 6B, 19 and 8| are closed; valve 58 isopen; and all of the valves 6| above the various tank sections areclosed, except valve `6| above tank section 44v which is open.

-Instead of the procedures just described, all of the Water and paint insection 4e may be pumped out of that section into tank section 4|,thereby not only lling that section 4| but causing floating paint to owfrom that section 4| into sec- .tion 42 over the top of the partition 45between those sections, thereby separating paint from the Water.

In some cases it may be preferred to pump the surplus paint from pipe 25into the bottom of one or more of the tank sections instead of into thetops of the tank sections as above described. For this purpose, pipe BUcontaining valve 8| is provided for inter-connecting the outlet side ofthe pump 34 to the header pipe 54. When it is desired to use the pipe inthis way,va1ves 65, 68

Y aan-:i910 .are1 closedzfand nvalves-66Tand 8 I :opened :i1-henfwiththepump operating, paint will'ibe l"drawn, fromipipeuZ-throughvalveBG in'piper'l,

-fthrough -thefpump fidpand"forced through Valve 1:8! inpipeitintofheader pipe 54,'thence through .:any.fof the valves1,53as'desired;1into :the bottom portions of one or-:more yof the tank:sections. In f t'these :andother Ways, the paint and Waterimay :libefseparated,fandsstorediin the-various tankfsec- Watergas .in theWater-seal of azgas holder-will now be described. As shown, thisdevice'thasa -.-.frasne-fcomprising a backmembei :Sgzto one 'sideeoffrwhich are secured Vprojecting shelves: v92, T194 wand-T95.Supported by this frame is anl indicating e'el'ementcomprising a n,floatmember 98' secured toxarrod vlllii vwhich vextends upwardly from the.zoat'zmemberand slidessfreely'in a hole .in the .-shelfi96;arvveight'orsinker F62 being attached :Lito-.the'rbottom offsaid floatmember 98 and :1-.adapted:to'pass'freelyv throughv a` hole in the fshell94. Inv order 'to guidethe float member v98 *inits movement between`.theYshelves'i'94 and"96, the neat-:member is:y provided withiprojectingmemfr! (i8` and 'E I d securedfatvthe'ir ends to the` -shelvesSkandi-196. ,Therodl-ll is provided withv 'an marksing H2 at such alocation thatz'saidmarking co- :wpperates (aslflereinafterfeXplained)Withvv a scale, ,fprefera-bly 'in'1inches, markedV on the backLmembenraszshown in-^`Figs. 7,n 8'and,9.` The 'Weight Vfof-the sinker.i52is such thatzthe float member 98 `V:willi-:float in-'Water withitsztop slightlyemerging .-wfrom the surface of the Waterffor purposeswhich #Will-.become apparentfrom the following descripztion `oithe -Wayin which thev measuring` device vis Aused. *Figi Sisintended 'toshowi'saidmeasuring device -'extending downwardlyinto the'water- 'fiscal.of f a: gas :holder and v restingV on :the bottom *thereof Y,Owing-tothe buoyancy of the "float emember-fSSfas above. describedgthe-loat mem--ber--oatsin the-Waterwvith its top slightlypro- ,ejecting above-the`surface of the-water andinto ithepaintrlav-yer. VA reading is f thentaken of VAthe :position of l the topof-'themarkingl-l i2 on the cscale;and the user ofl themeasuring deviceywhile .molding .the-fback memberwith onehand; pulls .the rodilleaupwardfly until `fthe top :oftheiioat`member .984s barely-visible:v above:` the upper surface of the paintlayer,whereuponY another #reading is taken-.of the position of the Lvtopofy rthemarking, H2 ,on the scale. 'The-difference Y-between i these tworeadings is the depth :of fthe vpaint-layer.

.LI Wish it to-beunderstood.thatI do not Adesire `.to..]oe.1i'rnitedltothe exact details.ofeconstruction 0r ...shown and described, forobviousmodications Will occur to a person skilled in the art.

..What-is claimed asrnew and Idesired to be isecuredf by'. LettersVPatent .isz

" .l.1.:;;"Apparatus-fi:useful: in painting; comprising distributionpiping extending 1 to places 4Where a oatingfilayeri ofipaintnis toi be'delivered` tovand removed from fthe:lsurfaceuofffwater, a ..pump,= a 5painteholding :tank divided vvinto sections -by partitions:rextending'upwardly from the bottom :offthe''tank nearly vto the topthereof, piping 'sconnecting'the intake side-of said pump with 4leachnofsaid tankcsections and Withsaid distri- `i02 bution'piping, v'piping`connecting the outlet side ."of said'pump witheach of saidftanksections and "Withfsaidfdistributionpiping, and valves in said .pipingsselectively.'controllingthe pumpingY of i,v paint from-thebottomlof anyltanksection to-the V fdistribution` pipin'gf from. the distributionpiping to'. anytank'section 'and from any tank sectionv to i any:other-tank section.

.2..Apparatus for "use in painting, comprising 11 in combination,distribution piping extending ,20 .intoplaces Wherez'a lflowing 'layerofypaintisto be' delivered to'` andremoved from the surface of Water, a,paint holding tank, pumping means interconnectingisaid:tanl'and piping,valve means Vorlselectively'controlling the pumping of paint "from Vsaidtank'to the distribution piping and "from such piping back to the tank,a, skimming rbasrin .adapted to -sink through the paint layer on the"Water and to'oat in the Water With the -edgerofsaid'rbasin projectingslightly -above the Water-paint interface, said Apiping including a Inozzleradaptedto be inserted in said skimming .fbasin .soastocause thepaint infsaid -basin to be removed through said piping during pumping`of .paintback to said tank.

drfApparatus'for paintinggas holders of the type:having l'Watersealsfsurrounding the holder vat: regions between sections, comprisingdistributionpiping Vconstructed and arranged to be'pl'aced*inpositionaround'the gas holder and 405: adjacent: a Water sealthereof, said 'piping v'havingoutlets' atfspaced'points Where a floatinglayer of paint `is to be delivered to `and removed *fromIthe'surfaceuof-fthe 'Water of l*said seals, -a ipaintrholding-L tank,pumping means .and conhections ffor'interconnectingsaid tankanddisvtribution piping, valves in said :connections selectivelycontrollingr the pumping of paint from said itankr-to the.distributionvpiping and'from the distribution piping vback to said tank, skimming '50means atsaid'outlets constructedand arranged itoffcause fpaint"to"1beWithdrawn'from the sur- ".face Vof Sthev `Water :during the latteroperation` of the pumpingrmeans, .said tank and connections :includingsmeansenabling pumping of paint t5 separated from-WaterA from said-tank.

-LEWIS B. DONOVAN.

" TREFEREN CES CITED v'The fol-lowing references are of record in the merof this patent:

UNITED 'STATES PATENTS v"Number i 'Name vDate -f353I775 "-Boorae'm 'Dec7, 1886 418,984 l"Parks, yJ1 .'Jan. 7, 1890 824,973 Br-a'Znll J ulyi V3,1906 1450545 VFI-Iahs --Apr'.'3, 1923 1,604,230 Latimer Oct. 26,'1926

